If you try to shake snow or ice from the tree or use a broom or stick to knock it off, you risk doing more harm than good because frozen branches are brittle and break easily.

Written by

Instead of rushing out to knock freshly fallen snow off your trees and shrubs, especially evergreens, you're better off in most cases by doing nothing. Just wait for temperatures to climb above freezing and let them thaw out.

Experts from Cornell Cooperative Extension say that you are more likely to cause damage to the shrubs and trees, such as broken branches and damaged limbs, when you think you are helping them out in a snowstorm.

If you try to shake snow or ice from the tree or use a broom or stick to knock it off, you risk doing more harm than good because frozen branches are brittle and break ...